Known locally as ‘Cuckoo Dyke,’ the 46-mile Chesterfield canal is a lush, green haven for wildlife travelling through Derbyshire into the Lincolnshire countryside. It has 65 locks.
Although most of it is navigable, Tapton Lock on the edge of Chesterfield, is cut off from the main canal. The eastern part of the canal runs all the way through to West Stockwith Lock. There, it joins the River Trent and eventually the River Idle.
Sights on the Chesterfield Canal
There are quite a few things to note along this beautiful section of canal. East of the canal at Turnerwood you can see a whopping 22 of its 65 locks. This is a place to make note of if you’re planning a paddle. Your arms might be a bit achy after portaging that flight!
It’s not just an impressive flight of locks that the Chesterfield canal can boast though! Along the route you’ll find a mix of history and nature.
Part of the route are areas of special scientific interest, and home to rare aquatic plants including Linton’s pondweed.
There’s also a nod to the industrial revolution as you pass through Worksop. The impressive Italian Romanesque ‘Bracebridge Pumping Station’ towers over the valley as you head out towards Osberton – you can’t miss it!
The Chesterfield Canal can boast links to the Houses of Parliament. It’s most famous cargo was 250,000 tonnes of stone from local quarries. This stone was used in the construction of the Houses of Parliament in London. Now that’s impressive.